March 8, 2010 1:53 pm

Pierce County prosecutors have charged a 46-year-old man with first-degree rape, alleging he sexually assaulted a woman twice after threatening her with a gun.

In addition to rape, Lewis E. Dennard was charged today with felony harassment and unlawful imprisonment while armed with a firearm. Dennard was scheduled to be arraigned on the allegations this afternoon.

The incident allegedly occurred last week. The victim told a Steilacoom public safety officer that she and Dennard had spent the evening together and consumed alcohol.

Earlier the next morning, she asked Dennard to take her home. He refused and said he wanted to have sex.

The woman refused and the two fought. At one point, the victim grabbed a kitchen knife to defend herself. Dennard reportedly grabbed his gun and threatened to kill the victim.

The victim told officers she was afraid and submitted to Dennard’s demands. He sexually assaulted her twice. When the victim asked to go home, Dennard allegedly pointed the gun at her face and said, “You’re not going anywhere until I am ready,” charging documents state.

Dennard later took the woman home. She told her mother and a friend what happened, then went to St. Joseph Medical Center.

Officers searched Dennard’s home Friday. He said there were no weapons in his apartment and never had been.

Officers found ammunition, a small amount of “green leafy plant matter” and two cellophane baggies containing a “white powdery substance,” charging documents state.

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